GASKET AND METHOD FOR SEALING TWO BODIES WITH SUCH A GASKET

Description

[0001] This invention is concerned with a gasket of the type which is adapted when clamped between two bodies to seal the gap between the bodies around a chamber or passage jointly defined by the bodies. Such a gasket may be used, for example, for sealing the gap between flanges at the ends of pipes. The present invention is also concerned with two bodies that incorporate a gasket and a method of sealing two bodies with a gasket.

[0002] Gaskets require to be resilient in order to achieve a seal. In some gaskets, the resilience is achieved by using inherently resilient material such as rubber or cork and, in other gaskets, the resilience is achieved by utilising springy metal which resists being bent out of its initial shape. This invention is concerned with the latter type of gasket which comprises a sealing member which forms a closed loop extending around a hole which corresponds to the chamber or passage. Such gaskets are often in the shape of an annular ring but may have other shapes. Accordingly, the term "ring" is used herein to include a continuous band surrounding a hole of any shape.

[0003] Known gaskets made of springy metal have sealing members which have generally C or V-shaped transverse cross-sections (see US 4,877,272 for a V-shaped cross-section). The cross-section comprises two arms which project either inwardly or outwardly of the hole, the arms being adapted to each resiliently engage one of the bodies to form a seal around said hole. In this type of gasket, the sealing force is achieved by deformation of a single piece of metal which bends sharply between its lines of engagement with the bodies against which the gasket seals. Because the single piece of metal has to bend sharply, there is a danger that cracking may occur when the clamping force is applied.

[0004] GB 1 041 181 (BTR) and GB 1 434 492 (Ford) describe annular gaskets that form a seal between two bodies. When the bodies are tightened to their limit the annular gaskets, which previously comprised springy arms spaced from each other, are clamped together tightly along their complete co-extent to form parallel arms that abut the bodies and abut each other. Thus when the bodies go from being spaced apart from their limit position to the limit position the seal provided goes from being a substantially linear seal around the bodies to a seal which has an extent radially outwardly of the bodies over the co-extent of the bodies and the arms.

[0005] In the limit position the arms may have been bent beyond their useful working range where the spring force of the arms exerts an optimum sealing pressure on the bodies. Alternatively or additionally, to keep the arms operating in their optimum range, the bodies will have to initially engage the arms at a position where the bodies are extremely close together. In the limit position the force exerted on the springy arms may be such that the arms crack when the clamping force is applied or when an excessive clamping force is applied. Furthermore, the seal provided by the arms contacting each other along their complete co-extent is not as satisfactory as a substantially linear contact where the arms remain spaced apart. In addition, in the limit position where the arms are in contact, the pressure of fluid in the two bodies can not urge the parts into further sealing engagement with each other.

[0006] GB 1 124 155 (North American Aviation) shows a gasket clamped between two parts comprising a compression limiting stop from which sealing walls extend having sealing surfaces at their ends. This prior art illustrates the subject-matter defined in the preamble portions of independent claims 1, 18 and 21.

[0007] FR 2 031 924 (CEA) shows lateral elements that comprise the sealing means.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to attempt to overcome at least some of the above described disadvantages.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a gasket in which spring metal is used to provide the sealing force, the gasket having a reduced risk of cracking.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention in a gasket adapted when clamped between two bodies to seal the gap between the bodies around a chamber or passage jointly defined by the bodies, the gasket forms a ring extending around a hole which corresponds to the chamber or passage, the gasket comprises a first sealing member and a second sealing member, and a compression limiting stop abutment, the first sealing member having an arm portion projecting from the compression limiting stop, the arm portion of the first sealing member being adapted to resiliently engage one of said bodies to form a seal therewith at a location spaced from the stop, and the second sealing member having an arm portion projecting from the stop, the arm portion of the second sealing member being adapted to resiliently engage the other of said bodies to form a seal therewith at a location spaced from the stop, the first and second sealing members being resiliently arranged to engage their respective bodies to form a seal therewith at a location spaced from the compression limiting stop when both of the bodies engage the stop, characterised in that the first and second sealing members are both made of springy material and in that a clamping member is arranged to hold the first and second sealing members in an overlying relationship.

[0011] The first and second sealing members may be arranged to be spaced from each other at the location that they sealingly engage their respective bodies when both of the bodies engage the stop.

[0012] The free ends of each arm may be arranged to resiliently engage their respective bodies to form a resilient seal therewith.

[0013] A location spaced from the ends of the arms may be arranged to engage the respective bodies to form a resilient seal therewith.

[0014] The clamping member can be made of thicker material which can resist cracking better than a springy metal. The clamping member may comprise the compression limiting stop. The clamping member may press said first and said second sealing members together so that a seal is formed between them. The clamping member may be formed from sheet metal and have a generally C-shaped transverse cross-section comprising two legs between which the sealing members are received, the legs engaging the sealing members.

[0015] The compression limiting stop may be arranged to transmit forces between the bodies, when both bodies engage the stop, through a portion that is separate from the first and second sealing members.

[0016] The first and second sealing members may be welded together.

[0017] The compression limiting stop may comprise a first member adapted to extend around a hole which corresponds to the chamber or passage arranged to engage one of the bodies and a second member adapted to extend around a hole which corresponds to the chamber or passage arranged to engage the other of the bodies. The first and second members may be spaced from each other. The first and second sealing members may extend at least partially through the first and second members of the compression limiting stop. The first and second members of the compression limiting stop may be welded to the first and second sealing members.

[0018] The pressure of fluid within a chamber of passage may be arranged to bias the arm portions further into engagement with their respective bodies to further enhance the sealing effect of the gasket, and may enhance that sealing effect even when the bodies engage the compression limiting stop.

[0019] A first sealing means comprising the first and second sealing members may extend inwardly of the compression limiting stop and second sealing means also comprising first and second sealing members as claimed in any preceding claim may extend outwardly of the compression limiting stop.

[0020] According to another aspect of the present invention in two bodies that incorporate a gasket clamped between them to seal the gap between the bodies around a chamber or passage jointly defined by the bodies, the gasket forms a ring extending around a hole which corresponds to the chamber or passage, wherein the gasket comprises a first sealing member and a second sealing member, and a compression limiting stop, the first sealing member having an arm portion projecting from the compression limiting stop, the arm portion of the first sealing member resiliently engaging one of the bodies to form a seal therewith at a location spaced from the stop, the second sealing member having an arm portion projecting from the stop, the arm portion of the second sealing member resiliently engaging the other of the bodies to form a seal therewith at a location spaced from the stop, the first and second sealing members resiliently engaging their respective bodies to form a seal therewith at a location spaced from the compression limiting stop when both of the bodies engage the stop, characterised in that the first and second members are both made of springy metal and in that a clamping member holds the first and second sealing members in an overlying relationship.

[0021] The pressure of fluid within the chamber or passage may urge the arm portions further into engagement with their respective bodies to further enhance the sealing effect of the gasket, and that sealing effect may be enhanced when the bodies engage the compression limiting stop.

[0022] According to a further aspect of the present invention a method of sealing two bodies with a gasket comprises clamping the gasket between the two bodies to seal the gap between the bodies around a chamber or passage jointly defined by the bodies, the gasket forming a ring extending around a hole which corresponds to the chamber or passage, the gasket comprising a first sealing member and a second sealing member, and a compression limiting stop, the first sealing member having an arm portion projecting from the compression limiting stop, the arm portion of the first sealing member resiliently engaging one of the bodies to form a seal therewith at a location spaced from the stop, and the second sealing member having an arm portion projecting from the stop, the arm portion of the second sealing member resiliently engaging the other of the bodies to form a seal therewith at location spaced from the stop, the first and second sealing members resiliently engaging their respective bodies to form a seal therewith at a location spaced from the compression limiting stop when both of the bodies are brought together to engage the stop, characterised in that the first and second sealing members are both made of springy metal and in that the clamping member holds the first and second sealing members in an overlying relationship.

[0023] The method may comprise the pressure of fluid within the chamber or passage urging the arms against their respective bodies to further enhance the sealing effect of the gasket and the arms may be so urged when the bodies engage the compression limiting stop.

[0024] The present invention may be carried into practice in various ways but two embodiments will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken through one side of a first embodiment of a gasket, and

Figure 2 is a similar view to that of Figure 1 of a second embodiment of a gasket.

[0025] The illustrative gasket 10 in Figure 1 and 20 in Figure 2 are adapted when clamped between two bodies (not shown) to seal the gap between the bodies around a chamber or passage defined by the bodies. For example, the gaskets may be utilised to seal around a fluid passage in pipes having flanges at their ends, the gaskets being received between the flanges which are then clamped together by bolts. The gaskets forms a ring extending around a hole which corresponds to the chamber or passage.

[0026] The gasket 10 in Figure 1 comprises a first sealing member 12 and a second sealing member 14. The gasket 20 shown in Figure 2 comprises a first sealing member 28 and a second sealing member 30. The sealing members 12, 14 and 28, 30 are made from springy metal in sheet form. The members 12, 14 and 28, 30 can be stamped out of sheet steel as a complete annulus or can be formed from strip steel which is bent into a loop and has its ends joined together by a weld. Although shown as of constant a thickness, the members may vary in thickness, this being achieved, eg, by machining. The gasket 10 also comprises a clamping member 16 which holds the first 12 and the second 14 sealing members in an overlying relationship.

[0027] As can be seen in Figure 1, the first sealing member 12, in transverse cross-section, is generally arcuate, having a generally convex surface facing towards the member 14 and a concave surface facing away from the member 14. The second sealing member 14 has the same shape as the member 12 but is inverted relative thereto so that it has its convex surface facing towards the member 12 and its concave surface facing away therefrom. The first 12 and the second 14 sealing members engage one another along a line 18 at the lowest point of the member 12 and the highest point of the member 14.

[0028] The first sealing member 12 has a longer arm portion 12a projecting from the line 18 outwardly of the hole through the gasket and a shorter arm portion 12b projecting from the line 18 inwardly of said hole. The second sealing member 14 has a similar longer arm portion 14a and a similar shorter arm portion 14b. The arms 12a and 14a may vary in thickness, eg tapering to their thinnest at their free ends.

[0029] The clamping member 16 and is made of sheet metal which is substantially thicker than that forming the members 12 and 14. The clamping member 16 is generally c-shaped in transverse cross-section, comprising two legs 16a and 16b between which the shorter arm portions 12b and 14b of the sealing members are received. The legs 16a and 16b have lips 16c and 16d which are turned towards the sealing members 12 and 14, the lips being adapted to grip the sealing members and clamp them together. The clamping member 16 also comprises a joining portion 16e from which the legs 16a and 16b project. The joining portion 16e extends past the free ends of the shorter arm portions 12b and 14b. In this case, the joining portion 16e bounds the hole through the gasket 10. Since the joining portion 16e extends normally of the plane of the gasket 10, it is adapted to provide a compression-limiting stop to prevent excessive compression of the gasket, ie if excessive clamping force brings the bodies into contact with the clamping member 16, further compression is resisted by the portion 16e.

[0030] The longer arm portions 12a and 12b project away from the clamping member 16 in a direction which is radially outwards the hold through the gasket 10. The arm portion 12a is adapted so that its free end can resiliently engage one of the bodies between which the gasket 10 is clamped to form a seal therewith. The arm portion 14a is adapted so that its free end can resiliently engage the other of said bodies to form a seal therewith. Thus, the gasket 10 forms a seal with both of said bodies.

[0031] In order to improve the seals formed by the arm portions 12a and 14a and to form a seal between the lips 16c and 16d and the sealing members 12 and 14, the gasket 10 also comprises layers of deformable material 19, specifically expanded graphite, which are secured to the concave surfaces of the members 12 and 14. The layers 19, thus, extend into the areas in which the arm portions 12a and 14a engage the bodies and assist in sealing by filling small cracks or fissures in these areas. The layers 19 also pass through the areas where the lips 16c and 16d engage the members 12 and 14, respectively, and serve to improve the seal in these areas.

[0032] The gasket 20 shown in Figure 2 is the same as the first illustrative gasket 10 except as hereinafter described. The gasket 20 has pieces 28 and 30 of constant thickness and a compression-limiting stop is provided in the central region adjacent to the joint 16 by stop pieces 32 and 34 which are welded to the pieces 28 and 30, respectively, in the dips between arms 22a and 22b, and 24a and 24b, respectively. The layers of deformable material may be included but are omitted form Figure 2.

[0033] The members 28 and 30 sealingly engage the bodies with which they seal with at the convex arms 22a, 22b and 24a and 24c. In the limit position, the free ends of the arms are spaced from each other and the bodies are clamped against the stop pieces 32 and 34. The pieces 28 and 30 are welded together at 16.

[0034] The gaskets 10 and 20 provide a good seal without requiring metal sealing members to be sharply bent. Furthermore the springy parts remain spaced from each other in the limit position when the compression limiting stops are engaged to allow the seals to be provided at locations spaced from the stops.

[0035] In variations of the gaskets 10 and 20, layers of deformable material similar to the layers 19 are adhered to the outer surfaces of the legs 16a and 16 and/or to the convex surfaces of the sealing members 12 and 14. It is also possible to have the arm portions 12a and 14a projecting inwardly of the hole through the gasket, the clamping member 16 then facing the opposite way. This latter construction has the advantage that pressure of the fluid in the passage or chamber, around which the gasket seals, acts between the arm portions 12a and 14a and assists in urging them against the bodies.

[0036] In addition, as the arms of each gasket are made of springy metal, the pressure of fluid within the passage can exert a force on the arms to urge them outwardly into further sealing engagement with each body thereby enabling the gaskets to be self energising. This feature can be enhanced by designing the arms to have a certain, sufficient flexibility. The self energising feature can be present even when the bodies engage the stops.

Claims

1. A gasket (10,20) adapted when clamped between two bodies to seal the gap between the bodies around a chamber or passage jointly defined by the bodies, the gasket (10,20) forming a ring extending around a hole which corresponds to the chamber or passage, wherein the gasket comprises a first sealing member (12,22b) and a second sealing member (14,24b), and a compression limiting stop abutment (16e,32,34,) the first sealing member (12,22b) having an arm portion projecting from the compression limiting stop (16e,32,34), the arm portion of the first sealing member being adapted to resiliently engage one of said bodies to form a seal therewith at a location spaced from the stop (16e,32,34), and the second sealing member (14,24b) having an arm portion projecting from the stop, the arm portion of the second sealing member being adapted to resiliently engage the other of said bodies to form a seal therewith at a location spaced from the stop, the first and second sealing members being resiliently arranged to engage their respective bodies to form a seal therewith at a location spaced from the compression limiting stop when both of the bodies engage the stop (16e;32,34) characterised in that the first and second sealing members are both made of springy metal and in that a clamping member is arranged to hold the first and second sealing members in an overlying relationship.

2. A gasket as claimed in Claim 1 in which the first and second sealing members (12,14;22b,24b) are arranged to be spaced from each other at the location that they sealingly engage their respective bodies when both of the bodies engage the stop (16e;32,34).

3. A gasket as claimed in Claims 1 or 2 in which the free ends of each arm (12,14) are arranged to resiliently engage their respective bodies to form a resilient seal therewith.

4. A gasket as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which a location spaced from the ends of the arms (22b,24b) is arranged to engage the respective bodies to form a resilient seal therewith.

5. A gasket as claimed in any preceding claim in which the clamping member (16) comprises the compression limiting stop (16e).

6. A gasket as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the clamping member (16) presses said first and said second sealing members (12,14) together so that a seal is formed between them.

7. A gasket as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the clamping member (16) is formed from sheet metal and has a generally C-shaped transverse cross-section (16a,16b,16c,16d,16e) comprising two legs (16c,16d) between which the sealing members (12,14) are received, the legs engaging the sealing members.

8. A gasket as claimed in any preceding claim in which the compression limiting stop (16e) is arranged to transmit forces between the bodies, when both bodies engage the stop, through a portion that is separate from the first and second sealing members (12,14).

9. A gasket as claimed in Claim 1 in which the first and second sealing members are welded (26) together.

10. A gasket as claimed in Claim 1 or 9 in which the compression limiting stop comprises a first member (16a,32) adapted to extend around a hole which corresponds to the chamber or passage arranged to engage one of the bodies and a second member (16b,34) adapted to extend around a hole which corresponds to the chamber or passage arranged to engage the other of the bodies.

11. A gasket as claimed in Claim 10 in which the first and second members (16a,32;,16b,34) are spaced from each other.

12. A gasket as claimed in Claim 9 or 11 in which the first and second sealing members (12,24;28,30) extend at least partially through first and second members (16a,16b;32,34) of the compression limiting stop.

13. A gasket as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 12 in which the first and second members (32,34) of the compression limiting stop are welded to the first and second sealing members (28,30).

14. A gasket as claimed in any preceding claim in which the pressure of fluid within a chamber or passage is arranged to bias the arm portions (12,14) further into engagement with their respective bodies to further enhance the sealing effect of the gasket.

15. A gasket as claimed in Claim 14 in which the pressure of fluid within the chamber or passage is arranged to bias the arm portions (12,14) further into engagement with their respective bodies to further enhance the sealing effect of the gasket when both of the bodies engage the compression limiting stop (16e).

16. A gasket as claimed in any preceding claim including a first sealing means (22b,24b) comprising the first and second sealing members extending inwardly of the compression limiting stop and second sealing means also comprising first and second sealing members (22a,24a) as claimed in any preceding claim extending outwardly of the compression limiting stop.

17. A gasket according to any preceding claim wherein the gasket also comprises layers of deformable material (19) which are secured to said arm portions at least in the areas thereof which engage said bodies.

18. Two bodies incorporating a gasket clamped between them to seal the gap between the bodies around a chamber or passage jointly defined by the bodies, the gasket (10,20) forming a ring extending around a hole which corresponds to the chamber or passage, wherein the gasket comprises a first sealing member (12,22b) and a second sealing member (14,24b), and a compression limiting stop (16e;32,34), the first sealing member having an arm portion projecting from the compression limiting stop, the arm portion of the first sealing member resiliently engaging one of said bodies to form a seal therewith at a location spaced from the stop, and the second sealing member having an arm portion projecting from the stop, the arm portion of the second sealing member resiliently engaging the other of said bodies to form a seal therewith at a location spaced from the stop, the first and second sealing members resiliently engaging their respective bodies to form a seal therewith at a location spaced from the compression limiting stop when both of the bodies engage the stop characterised in that the first and second sealing members are both made of springy metal and in that a clamping member holds the first and second sealing members in an overlying relationship.

19. Two bodies incorporating a gasket as claimed in Claim 18 in which the pressure of fluid within the chamber or passage urges the arm portions further into engagement with their respective bodies to further enhance the sealing effect of the gasket.

20. Two bodies incorporating a gasket as claimed in Claim 19 in which the pressure of fluid enhances the sealing effect of the gasket when both of the bodies engage the compression limiting stop.

21. A method of sealing two bodies with a gasket (10,20) comprising clamping the gasket between two bodies to seal the gap between the bodies around a chamber or passage jointly defined by the bodies, the gasket forming a ring extending around a hole which corresponds to the chamber or passage, wherein the gasket comprises a first sealing member (12,22b) and a second sealing member, and a compression limiting stop (16e;32,34), the first sealing member having an arm portion projecting from the compression limiting stop, the arm portion of the first sealing member resiliently engaging one of said bodies to form a seal therewith at a location spaced from the stop, and the second sealing member having an arm portion projecting from the stop, the arm portion of the second sealing member resiliently engaging the other of said bodies to form a seal therewith at a location spaced from the stop, the first and second sealing members resiliently engaging their respective bodies to form a seal therewith at a location spaced from the compression limiting stop when both of the bodies are brought together to engage the stop characterised in that the first and second sealing members are both made of springy metal and in that a clamping member holds the first and second sealing members in an overlying relationship.

22. A method of sealing two bodies with a gasket as claimed in Claim 21 comprising the pressure of fluid within the chamber or passage urging the arms against their respective bodies to further enhance the sealing effect of the gasket.

23. A method of sealing two bodies with a gasket as claimed in Claim 22 comprising the pressure of fluid urging the arms against their respective bodies to further enhance the sealing effect of the gasket when the bodies engage the compression limiting stop.

Ansprüche

1. Dichtung (10, 20), die geeignet ist, wenn sie zwischen zwei Körpern geklemmt ist, den Spalt zwischen den Körpern um eine Kammer oder einen Durchgang zu dichten, die gemeinsam durch die zwei Körper definiert werden, wobei die Dichtung (10, 20) einen Ring ausbildet, der sich um ein Loch erstreckt, das mit der Kammer oder dem Durchgang korrespondiert, wobei die Dichtung ein erstes Dichtelement (12, 22b) und ein zweites Dichtelement (14, 24b) und einen Kompressionsbegrenzungsstopperwiderlager (16e, 32, 34) hat, wobei das erste Dichtelement (12, 22b) einen Armabschnitt hat, der von dem Kompressionsbeschränkungsstopper (16e, 32, 34.) vorspringt, wobei der Armabschnitt des ersten Dichtelements geeignet ist, um mit einem der Körper elastisch zu kuppeln, um eine Abdichtung dazwischen an einer Stelle beabstandet von dem Stopper (16e, 32, 34) auszubilden, wobei das zweite Dichtelement (14, 24b) einen Armabschnitt hat, der von dem Stopper vorspringt, wobei der Armabschnitt des zweiten Dichtelements geeignet ist, um mit dem anderen der Körper elastisch zu kuppeln, um eine Abdichtung dazwischen an einer Stelle beabstandet von dem Stopper auszubilden, wobei die ersten und zweiten Dichtelemente elastisch angeordnet sind, um mit ihren zugehörigen Körper zu kuppeln, um eine Abdichtung dazwischen an einer Stelle beabstandet von dem Kompressionsbegrenzungsstopper auszubilden, wenn beide der Körper mit dem Stopper (16e, 32, 34) kuppeln,
   dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
   das erste und zweite Dichtelement beide aus einem Federmetall gefertigt sind und dass ein Klemmelement angeordnet ist, um das erste und das zweite Dichtelement in einer übereinanderliegenden Beziehung zu halten.

2. Dichtung nach Anspruch 1, in der das erste und das zweite Dichtelement (12, 14; 22b, 24b) voneinander an der Stelle beabstandet angeordnet sind, an der sie dichtend mit ihren zugehörigen Körpern kuppeln, wenn beide der Körper mit dem Stopper (16e; 32, 34) kuppeln.

3. Dichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, in der die freien Enden jedes Arms (12, 14) angeordnet sind, um elastisch mit ihren zugehörigen Körpern zu kuppeln, um eine elastische Abdichtung dazwischen auszubilden.

4. Dichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, in der eine von den Enden der Arme (22b, 24b) beabstandete Stelle angeordnet ist, um mit den zugehörigen Körpern zu kuppeln, um eine elastische Abdichtung dazwischen auszubilden.

5. Dichtung nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, in der das Klemmelement (16) den Kompressionsbegrenzungsstopper (16e) hat.

6. Dichtung nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Klemmelement (16) das erste und das zweite Dichtelement (12, 14) aneinander drückt, so dass eine Abdichtung zwischen ihnen ausgebildet wird.

7. Dichtung nach einem der vorstehenden Patentansprüche, wobei das Klemmelement (16) aus einem Metallblech geformt ist und einen im wesentlichen C-förmigen Querschnitt hat, das zwei Schenkel (16c, 16d) hat, zwischen denen die Dichtelemente (12, 14) aufgenommen sind, wobei die Schenkel mit den Dichtelementen kuppeln.

8. Dichtung nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, in der der Kompressionsbegrenzungsstopper (16e) angeordnet ist, um Kräfte zwischen den Körpern, wenn beide Körper mit dem Stopper kuppeln, durch einen Abschnitt zu übertragen, der von dem ersten und dem zweiten Dichtelement (12, 14) getrennt ist.

9. Dichtung nach Anspruch 1, in der das erste und das zweite Dichtelement aneinander geschweißt (26) sind.

10. Dichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 9, in der der Kompressionsbegrenzungsstopper ein erstes Element (16a, 32) hat, das angepasst ist, um sich um ein Loch zu erstrecken, das mit der Kammer oder dem Durchgang korrespondiert, die angeordnet sind, um mit einem der Körper und einem zweiten Element (16b, 34) zu kuppeln, das angepasst ist, sich um ein Loch zu erstrecken, das mit der Kammer oder dem Durchgang korrespondiert, die so angeordnet sind, dass die anderen der Körper gekuppelt werden.

11. Dichtung nach Anspruch 10, in der das erste und das zweite Element (16a, 32; 16b, 34) voneinander beabstandet sind.

12. Dichtung nach Anspruch 9 oder 11, in der das erste und das zweite Dichtelement (12, 24; 28, 30) sich mindestens teilweise durch erste und zweite Elemente (16a, 16b; 32, 34) des Kompressionsbegrenzungsstoppers erstrecken.

13. Dichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 10 bis 12, in der das erste und das zweite Element (32, 34) des Kompressionsbegrenzungsstoppers an das erste und das zweite Dichtelement (28, 30) geschweißt sind.

14. Dichtung nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, in der der Druck des Fluids innerhalb einer Kammer oder eines Durchgangs geeignet ist, dass er die Armabschnitte 12, 14 weiter in Kontakt mit ihren zugehörigen Körpern drückt, um die Dichtwirkung der Dichtung weiter zu verstärken.

15. Dichtung nach Anspruch 14, in der der Druck des Fluids innerhalb der Kammer oder des Durchgangs ausgeführt ist, so dass die Armabschnitte (12, 14) weiter in Kontakt mit ihren zugehörigen Körpern vorgespannt werden, um die Dichtwirkung der Dichtung weiter zu erhöhen, wenn beide der Körper mit dem Kompressionsbegrenzungsstopper (16e) kuppeln.

16. Dichtung nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche mit einer ersten Dichteinrichtung (22b, 24b), die das erste und das zweite Dichtelement hat, die sich zu Innenseite zu dem Kompressionsbegrenzungsstopper erstrecken, und einer zweiten Dichteinrichtung, die ebenso ein erstes und ein zweites Dichtelement (22a, 24a) hat, die sich, wie in einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche beansprucht, zur Außenseite des Kompressionsbegrenzungsstoppers erstrecken.

17. Dichtung nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Dichtung ferner Schichten aus verformbarem Material (19) hat, die an die Armabschnitte an mindestens dessen Bereichen angebracht sind, an denen beide Körper kuppeln.

18. Zwei Körper, die eine Dichtung eingebaut haben, die zwischen ihnen geklemmt ist, um den Spalt zwischen den Körpern um eine Kammer oder einen Durchgang zu dichten, die gemeinsam durch die Körper definiert werden, wobei die Dichtung (19, 20) einen Ring ausbildet, der sich um ein Loch erstreckt, dass mit der Kammer oder dem Durchgang korrespondiert, wobei die Dichtung ein erstes Dichtelement (12, 22b) und ein zweites Dichtelement (14, 24b) und einen Kompressionsbegrenzungsstopper (16e; 32, 34) hat, wobei das erste Dichtelement einen Armabschnitt hat, der von dem Kompressionsbegrenzungsstopper vorspringt, wobei der Armabschnitt des ersten Dichtelements mit einem der Körper elastisch kuppelt, um eine Abdichtung dazwischen an einer Stelle beabstandet von dem Stopper auszubilden, und wobei das zweite Dichtelement einen Armabschnitt hat, der von dem Stopper vorspringt, wobei der Armabschnitt des zweiten Dichtelements elastisch mit dem anderen der Körper kuppelt, um eine Abdichtung dazwischen an einer Stelle beabstandet von dem Stopper auszubilden, wobei das erste und das zweite Dichtelement an ihren zugehörigen Körpern elastisch dichten, um eine Abdichtung dazwischen an einer Stelle beabstandet von dem Kompressionsbegrenzungsstopper auszubilden, wenn beide der Körper mit dem Stopper kuppeln,
   dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
   das erste und das zweite Dichtelement beide aus einem Federmetallgehäuse gefertigt sind und dass ein Klemmelement das erste und das zweite Dichtelement in einer übereinanderliegenden Beziehung hält.

19. Zwei Körper, die eine Dichtung eingebaut haben, nach Anspruch 18, in denen der Druck des Fluids innerhalb der Kammer oder des Durchgangs die Armabschnitte in weiteren Kontakt mit ihren zugehörigen Körpern drückt, um die Dichtwirkung der Dichtung weiter zu erhöhen.

20. Zwei Körper, die eine Dichtung eingebaut haben, nach Anspruch 19, in denen der Druck des Fluids die Dichtwirkung der Dichtung erhöht, wenn beide der Körper mit dem Kompressionsbegrenzungsstopper kuppeln.

21. Verfahren zum Abdichten zweier Körper mit einer Dichtung (10, 20) mit Klemmen der Dichtung zwischen zwei Körper, um den Spalt zwischen den Körpern um eine Kammer oder einen Durchgang zu dichten, die gemeinsam durch die Körper definiert werden, wobei die Dichtung einen Ring ausbildet, der sich um ein Loch erstreckt, das mit der Kammer oder dem Durchgang korrespondiert, wobei die Dichtung ein erstes Dichtelement (12, 22b) und ein zweites Dichtelement und einen Kompressionsbegrenzungsstopper (16e; 32, 34) hat, wobei das erste Dichtelement einen Armabschnitt hat, der von dem Kompressionsbegrenzungsstopper vorspringt, wobei der Armabschnitt des ersten Dichtelements elastisch mit einem der Körper gekuppelt ist, um eine Abdichtung dazwischen an einer Stelle beabstandet von dem Stopper auszubilden, und wobei das zweite Dichtelement einen Armabschnitt hat, der von dem Stopper vorspringt, wobei der Armabschnitt an dem zweiten Dichtelement mit dem anderen der Körper elastisch gekuppelt ist, um eine Abdichtung dazwischen an einer Stelle beabstandet von dem Stopper auszubilden, wobei das erste und das zweite Dichtelement mit ihren zugehörigen Körpern elastisch kuppeln, um eine Abdichtung dazwischen an einer Stelle beabstandet von dem Kompressionsbegrenzungsstopper auszubilden, wenn beide der Körper zusammen gebracht werden, um mit dem Stopper zu kuppeln,
   dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
   das erste und das zweite Dichtelement beide aus einem Federmetall gefertigt sind und dass ein Klemmelement das erste und das zweite Dichtelement in einer übereinanderliegenden Beziehung hält.

22. Verfahren zum Abdichten zweier Körper mit einer Dichtung nach Anspruch 21, wobei der Druck des Fluids innerhalb der Kammer oder des Durchgangs, der die Arme gegen ihren zugehörigen Körper drückt, die Dichtwirkung der Dichtung weiter erhöht.

23. Verfahren zum Abdichten zweier Körper mit einer Dichtung nach Anspruch 22, wobei der Druck des Fluids, der die Arme gegen ihre zugehörigen Körper drückt, die Dichtwirkung der Dichtung weiter erhöht, wenn die Körper mit dem Kompressionsbegrenzungsstopper kuppeln.

Revendications

1. Joint d'étanchéité (10, 20) adapté, lorsqu'il est bloqué entre deux corps, pour obturer l'intervalle entre les corps tout autour d'une chambre ou d'un passage défini conjointement par les corps, le joint d'étanchéité (10, 20) formant une bague entourant un trou qui correspond à la chambre ou au passage, dans lequel le joint d'étanchéité comprend un premier élément d'étanchéité (12, 22b) et un second élément d'étanchéité (14, 24b), et une butée (16e ; 32, 34) de limitation de la compression, le premier élément d'étanchéité (12, 22b) ayant une portion en forme de bras s'avançant de la butée (16e ; 32, 34) de limitation de la compression, la portion en forme de bras du premier élément d'étanchéité étant apte à venir en engagement élastique avec l'un desdits corps pour former un joint étanche avec celui-ci en un emplacement situé à une certaine distance de la butée (16e ; 32, 34), et le second élément d'étanchéité (14, 24b) ayant une portion en forme de bras s'avançant de la butée, la portion en forme de bras du second élément d'étanchéité étant apte à venir en engagement élastique avec l'autre desdits corps pour former un joint étanche avec celui-ci en un emplacement situé à une certaine distance de la butée, le premier et le second éléments d'étanchéité étant disposés élastiquement pour venir en engagement avec leurs corps respectifs afin de former un joint étanche avec eux en un emplacement situé à une certaine distance de la butée (16e ; 32, 34) de limitation de la compression lorsque les deux corps viennent en engagement avec la butée caractérisé en ce que le premier et le second éléments d'étanchéité sont tous les deux faits de métal résilient et en ce qu'un élément de serrage est prévu pour maintenir le premier et le second éléments d'étanchéité en relation sus-jacente.

2. Joint d'étanchéité selon la Revendication 1, dans lequel le premier et le second éléments d'étanchéité (12, 14 ; 22b, 24b) sont disposés de manière à être à une certaine distance l'un de l'autre à l'emplacement où ils viennent en engagement de manière étanche avec leurs corps respectifs lorsque les deux corps viennent en engagement avec la butée (16e ; 32, 34).

3. Joint d'étanchéité selon les Revendications 1 ou 2, dans lequel les extrémités libres de chaque bras (12, 14) sont prévues pour venir en engagement élastique avec leurs corps respectifs pour former un joint étanche élastique avec eux.

4. Joint d'étanchéité selon la Revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel un emplacement situé à distance des extrémités des bras (22b, 24b) est prévu pour venir en engagement avec les corps respectifs pour former un joint étanche élastique avec eux.

5. Joint d'étanchéité selon l'une quelconque des Revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'élément de serrage (16) comprend la butée (16e) de limitation de la compression.

6. Joint d'étanchéité selon l'une quelconque des Revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'élément de serrage (16) comprime ledit premier et ledit second éléments d'étanchéité (12, 14) l'un contre l'autre afin qu'un joint étanche soit formé entre eux.

7. Joint d'étanchéité selon l'une quelconque des Revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'élément de serrage (16) est formé à partir d'une tôle et possède une section en coupe transversale en forme générale de C (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e) comprenant deux jambes (16c, 16d) entre lesquelles sont reçus les éléments d'étanchéité (12, 14), les jambes venant en engagement avec les éléments d'étanchéité.

8. Joint d'étanchéité selon l'une quelconque des Revendications précédentes, dans lequel la butée (16e) de limitation de la compression est prévue pour transmettre les forces entre les corps, lorsque les deux corps viennent en engagement avec la butée, par l'intermédiaire d'une portion qui est séparée du premier et du second éléments d'étanchéité (12, 14).

9. Joint d'étanchéité selon la Revendication 1, dans lequel le premier et le second éléments d'étanchéité sont soudés ensemble (26).

10. Joint d'étanchéité selon la Revendication 1 ou 9, dans lequel la butée de limitation de la compression comprend un premier élément (16a, 32) adapté pour s'étendre tout autour d'un trou qui correspond à la chambre ou au passage, prévu pour venir en engagement avec l'un des corps, et un second élément (16b, 34) adapté pour s'étendre tout autour d'un trou qui correspond à la chambre ou au passage, prévu pour venir en engagement avec l'autre des corps.

11. Joint d'étanchéité selon la Revendication 10, dans lequel le premier et le second éléments (16a, 32 ; 16b, 34) sont à une certaine distance l'un de l'autre.

12. Joint d'étanchéité selon la Revendication 9 ou 11, dans lequel le premier et le second éléments d'étanchéité (12,24 ; 28, 30) s'avancent au moins partiellement à travers le premier et le second éléments (16a, 16b ; 32, 34) de la butée de limitation de la compression.

13. Joint d'étanchéité selon l'une quelconque des Revendications 10 à 12, dans lequel le premier et le second éléments (32, 34) de la butée de limitation de la compression sont soudés au premier et au second éléments d'étanchéité (28, 30).

14. Joint d'étanchéité selon l'une quelconque des Revendications précédentes, dans lequel la pression du fluide à l'intérieur d'une chambre ou d'un passage est prévue pour pousser davantage les portions formant bras (12, 14) en engagement avec leurs corps respectifs pour améliorer encore l'action d'étanchéité du joint d'étanchéité.

15. Joint d'étanchéité selon la Revendication 14, dans lequel la pression du fluide à l'intérieur de la chambre ou du passage est prévue pour pousser davantage les portions formant bras (12, 14) en engagement avec leurs corps respectifs pour améliorer encore l'action d'étanchéité du joint d'étanchéité lorsque les deux corps viennent en engagement avec la butée (16e) de limitation de la compression.

16. Joint d'étanchéité selon l'une quelconque des Revendications précédentes, comprenant un premier moyen de joint d'étanchéité (22b, 24b) comprenant le premier et le second éléments d'étanchéité s'avançant à l'intérieur de la butée de limitation de la compression et un second moyen d'étanchéité comprenant aussi un premier et un second éléments d'étanchéité (22a, 24a) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, s'avançant à l'extérieur de la butée de limitation de la compression.

17. Joint d'étanchéité selon l'une quelconque des Revendications précédentes, dans lequel le joint d'étanchéité comprend aussi des couches de matériau déformable (19) qui sont fixées auxdites portions formant bras, au moins dans les zones de celles-ci qui viennent en engagement avec lesdits corps.

18. Deux corps comportant un joint d'étanchéité serré entre eux pour obturer l'intervalle entre les corps tout autour d'une chambre ou d'un passage défini conjointement par les corps, le joint d'étanchéité (10, 20) formant une bague entourant un trou qui correspond à la chambre ou au passage, dans lequel le joint d'étanchéité comprend un premier élément d'étanchéité (12, 22b) et un second élément d'étanchéité (14, 24b), et une butée (16e ; 32, 34) de limitation de la compression, le premier élément d'étanchéité ayant une portion en forme de bras s'avançant de la butée de limitation de la compression, la portion en forme de bras du premier élément d'étanchéité venant en engagement élastique avec l'un desdits corps pour former un joint étanche avec celui-ci en un emplacement situé à une certaine distance de la butée, et le second élément d'étanchéité ayant une portion en forme de bras s'avançant de la butée, la portion en forme de bras du second élément d'étanchéité venant en engagement élastique avec l'autre desdits corps pour former un joint étanche avec celui-ci en un emplacement situé à une certaine distance de la butée, le premier et le second éléments d'étanchéité venant en engagement élastique avec leurs corps respectifs afin de former un joint étanche avec eux en un emplacement situé à une certaine distance de la butée de limitation de la compression lorsque les deux corps viennent en engagement avec la butée, caractérisés en ce que le premier et le second éléments d'étanchéité sont tous les deux faits de métal résilient et en ce qu'un élément de serrage maintient le premier et le second éléments d'étanchéité selon une relation sus-jacente.

19. Deux corps comportant un joint d'étanchéité selon la revendication 18, dans lesquels la pression du fluide à l'intérieur de la chambre ou du passage force davantage les portions formant bras en engagement avec leurs corps respectifs pour améliorer encore l'action d'étanchéité du joint d'étanchéité.

20. Deux corps comportant un joint d'étanchéité selon la revendication 19, dans lesquels la pression du fluide améliore l'action d'étanchéité du joint d'étanchéité lorsque les deux corps viennent en engagement avec la butée de limitation de la pression.

21. Procédé pour assurer l'étanchéité entre deux corps avec un joint d'étanchéité (10, 20) comprenant le serrage du joint d'étanchéité entre les deux corps pour obturer l'intervalle entre les corps tout autour d'une chambre ou d'un passage défini conjointement par les corps, le joint d'étanchéité (10, 20) formant une bague entourant un trou qui correspond à la chambre ou au passage, dans lequel le joint d'étanchéité comprend un premier élément d'étanchéité (12, 22b) et un second élément d'étanchéité (14, 24b), et une butée (16e; 32, 34) de limitation de la compression, le premier élément d'étanchéité ayant une portion en forme de bras s'avançant de la butée de limitation de la compression, la portion en forme de bras du premier élément d'étanchéité venant en engagement élastique avec l'un desdits corps pour former un joint étanche avec celui-ci en un emplacement situé à une certaine distance de la butée, et le second élément d'étanchéité ayant une portion en forme de bras s'avançant de la butée, la portion en forme de bras du second élément d'étanchéité venant en engagement élastique avec l'autre desdits corps pour former un joint étanche avec celui-ci en un emplacement situé à une certaine distance de la butée, le premier et le second éléments d'étanchéité venant en engagement élastique avec leurs corps respectifs afin de former un joint étanche avec eux en un emplacement situé à une certaine distance de la butée de limitation de la compression lorsque les deux corps viennent en engagement avec la butée, caractérisé en ce que le premier et le second éléments d'étanchéité sont tous les deux faits de métal résilient et en ce qu'un élément de serrage maintient le premier et le second éléments d'étanchéité selon une relation sus-jacente.

22. Procédé pour assurer l'étanchéité entre deux corps avec un joint d'étanchéité selon la revendication 21, comprenant le fait que la pression du fluide à l'intérieur de la chambre ou du passage force les bras contre leurs corps respectifs pour améliorer encore l'action d'étanchéité du joint d'étanchéité.

23. Procédé pour assurer l'étanchéité entre deux corps avec un joint d'étanchéité selon la revendication 22, comprenant le fait que la pression du fluide force les bras contre leurs corps respectifs pour améliorer encore l'action d'étanchéité du joint d'étanchéité lorsque les corps viennent en engagement avec la butée de limitation de la pression.

Drawing